Hand-guard



G. T. EPLING.

HAND GUARD.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12. I920.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HAND-GUARD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

Application filed June 12, 1920. Serial No. 388,465.

erence being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in hand guards and has relationmore particularly to a device of this general character especially designed and adapted for use by infants,- and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which may be readily applied to the arm of an infant to house or inclose the hand and which serves effectually to prevent. the infant from sucking upon the digits of the hand.

.einother object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which when applied provides means whereby the infant is prevented from knocking or otherwise injuring the hand.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which is especially adapted for use in connection with preventive dentistry as by the use of my improved guard the infant is prevented from sucking the digits of a hand and which habit if continued invariably pulls the lower jaw forward resulting in a deformity in the facial characteristics and which deformity is especially liable to occur when continued pressure is made in any one direction in the formative period of the jaw bone, resulting in protrusion and irregularity of the teeth and other deformities of the face.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved hand guard whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, 1 will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying draw ngs, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a hand guard constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in applied position, and V Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken through the guard as herein disclosed with the fastening members shown in fragment.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawlngs, G denotes a hand guard constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and which is formed of rubber and whlch guard is of a substantially fixed formation with the walls, however, possessing sufficient elasticity to permit the same to yield so that undue hindrance or interference with the movements of the hand and fore-arm is avoided and also to prevent injury to such parts of the anatomy.

My improved guard Gr comprises an outer closed end portion parti-spherical or globular and provided with an opening 1 through which a hand of the infant is adapted to pass when inserted within said outer or closed end portion. The opening 1 is defined by a substantially cylindrical sleeve 2 of desired length and which is adapted to substantially snugly engage around the forearm inwardly but in close proximity to the wrist so that the child may have a relatively free movement of the hand when applied within the guard. It will be particularly noted that the periphery or outer surface of the guard G and the major portion of the sleeve 2 are smooth, unobstructed and unbroken so that the possibility of an infant injuring itself during the use of the guard is substantially eliminated.

The free end portion of the sleeve 1 at substantially diametrically opposed points is provided with the openings 3 reinforced by the gromets or eyelets preferably of metal.

Loosely disposed through each of the openings 3 is an elastic tape 4 with its end portions in overlying relation. A safety pin 5 or the like is disposed through the free end portion of the tapes, and which pin 5 or the like provides means whereby the tape may be engaged with the sleeve of a body garment so that the guard is effectually held against displacement when applied. The elastic tapes 4: serve to impose a pull upon the applied guard Gr inwardly of the arm yet permit the same to have yielding outward movement should the digits of the hand of the infant within the guard be extended and contact with the inner wall of the guard. By permitting this yielding movement, cramping of the hand or other injury thereto is prevented. From the foregoing description it is thought to be Obvious that a hand guard constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled andoperated, and it will also'beobvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a hand guard for infants comprising a globular body adapted to house the hand and provided in its wall with an opening through which the hand is 'insertible, said opening being defined by an outstanding sleeve integral with the wall of the globular body, the walls of the globular body and sleeve being elastic,- said globular body andsleeve having a normally fixed formation, the outer end portion of the sleeve being provided with openings at substantially diametrically opposed points, an elastic tape threaded through each of said openings and having walls of the globular body and sleeve being elastic, said globular body and sleeve having a normally fixed formation, the outer end portion of the sleeve being provided with attaching means, the outer surface of the globular body and the major portion of the sleeve being smooth, unobstructed and unbroken.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a

hand guard for infants comprising a globular body adapted to house the hand and provided in its wall with an opening through which the hand is insertible, said opening being defined by an outstanding sleeve integral with the Wall of the globular body, and attaching means carried by said sleeve, the walls of, the globular body and sleeve being signature.

GILES THOMAS EPLING. 

